General Hospital
GH’s Genie Francis Addresses Laura’s Controversial Storyline From the Past
During ABC’s Winter Press Tour for the Television Critics Association (TCA) in Pasadena, California, several of the stars of General Hospital along with head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor and series executive producer, Frank Valentini, took part in a panel discussion as part of the GH’s upcoming 60th anniversary milestone celebration.
Throughout the panel, the cast and creatives fielded questions from the press. At one point, Genie Francis (Laura) was asked about GH’s representation of social issues over the decades, and about the controversial rape of Laura by Luke (Tony Geary) back in 1979.
Photo: ABC
As GH viewers know, Luke, who believed he was going to be killed by mobster Frank Smith, and had fallen for Laura, danced with with her at the Campus Disco to Herb Alpert’s Rise. Luke, eventually forced himself on Laura and raped her. However, later GH wrote the enduring love story of Luke and Laura, and the event was left murky in the storytelling including at one point having it called a “seduction”.
Francis addressed the issue head on telling reporters: “You mentioned the date-rape issue. I had a feeling I was going to be asked about that. You know, as a young kid at 17, I was told to play rape, and I played it. I didn’t even know what it was. But, at 17, you follow the rules, and you do as you are told, and you aim to please. At 60, I don’t feel the need to defend that anymore, you know. I think that the story was inappropriate, and I don’t condone it. And it’s been a burden that I’ve had to carry to try to justify that story, and so I’m not doing that anymore. I think, when a woman says ‘No,’ that she should be listened to, and if you replay that scene, you don’t have Laura just saying ‘No.’ You have her screaming ‘No.”
As to the current writing and portrayal of Laura Collins, the Daytime Emmy-winning TV icon shared: “I feel very, very fortunate to have this new reinvented Laura. I love who she is in the present day. She was such a victim as a young woman, and to see it flip around and have her be fully empowered, this powerful woman who is the mayor of the town. She doesn’t take crap from anyone. She’s a strong woman. She’s a good role model for other women. But I love my Laura today. I loved my Laura then too, but this is where it needed to go.”
What do you think about Genie’s response to the long-standing controversial rape storyline? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Well Genie I agree we are still doing it Y&R writing a love story between rapist Chelsea and Her victim Billy. The worst part is Jason Thompson trying to defend it. But Y&R stinks so bad no way that show recovering NONE.
Kay
That was so long ago, I don’t know if we actually saw that happen, but Billy had to have participated or no Johnny.
Remembering many years ago Tricia Dennison, a real loony tunes drugged Victor with Roofies and Viagra and raped him and she set it up claiming he raped and assaulted her, but with the Newman luck he got himself cleared but that was a good story, I wonder how many fans remember that SL?
DOOL did it with Sami/EJ and turned them into a supercouple, a la Luke/Laura. It was disgusting. EJ raped her, and she fell in love with him. WTH? Outside of that relationship, I actually do like EJ. The whole EJ/Abby affair when James Scott and Kate Mansa were playing the roles was so soapy and hot. What a missed opportunity not letting it really go anywhere. It’s just the EJ/Sami relationship that is problematic. He RAPED her. That shouldn’t have been glorified or romanticized and turned into a supercouple, just because they were both attractive. I will never forgive DOOL for having Sami fall in love with her rapist. It’s like soaps haven’t learned ANYTHING since Luke/Laura. I am SO glad Genie is speaking out.
Amen Genie Francis.
Is there video of this panel anywhere?
I loved Genie’s answer about the rape. It’s disgusting that a 17 year old was made to play a rape scene by the people running the show at the time. I’m not even sure how something like that was allowed to happen. Thank god we’ve evolved as a people since then.
I bet Genie is beyond tired of having to answer questions about this after all these years. It’s like that moment is the only thing that has ever happened to her character in 43 years. Hopefully everyone can move on.
And bravissima to Genie for being unwilling to play along, any longer, with the rewrite. I saw the original scene, and I remember it exactly as Genie does–and yet over the years I’ve begun to feel gaslighted because of the insistence that I didn’t see what I know I saw. I really appreciate Genie’s validation of that.
And like her, I’m really pleased at who Laura has become. And grateful–because whenever they give her the material, GF really delivers. She is a force of nature. I’m sure she always was, but as she sort of said, most of her early storylines were about Laura as victim. This version is a lot more interesting.
As for why she was made to play that scene four decades ago–well, Gloria Monty. I remember Marland said in an interview that he had objected (strenuously) to the storyline, and that’s part of the reason he was fired. Monty really wanted it, so that’s the story that was written–but somebody above her should have put a stop to it. The whole incident does speak volumes about attitudes toward rape and how they’ve changed since 1979. I can’t recall a single soul, at the time, expressing any reservations at all about ABC’s having foisted a rape storyline on a 17-year-old actress. (Maybe the reservations were there, but they were never aired publicly, if so.) Other reservations were expressed, but they were very muted, because the ratings continued to go up. I do remind myself, when I think about it, that in 1979, spousal rape had only been a thing for a few years (I don’t remember exactly when the marital rape laws were enacted, but it hadn’t been that long before), so it’s not surprising in that context that there could still be questions about whether rape was rape. Still, an appalling episode in our country’s warped history regarding sex and power, and I think the fact that we still have to talk about it NOW speaks volumes about all the things we should have said about it, as a cultural phenomenon, in 1979 (and since) and didn’t. (And I’ll just add, from roughly the same age perspective as Genie’s–I was 19 when the rape scenes aired and am 62 now–I’m utterly aghast, in retrospect, at what an appalling, confusing message the whole thing sent to the young men and women of the time. Ugh.)
Michael (not Fairman)…some like you may remember, but another example of an over-the-top sex scene was between Carly and Sonny when they first got together. Not needed either, or conveniently forgotten.
Thanks for the reply and the context, Michael (not Fairman). You go back much longer than me as a viewer, so I appreciate the insight!
I remember seeing the rape scene for the first time years later, and just how dirty and disgusting it made me feel. The disco lights flashing, Herb Alpert’s song “Rise” playing in the background, the way Laura screamed “NO!” Just hideous, hideous stuff.
I’ve always heard such good things about Gloria Monty as an executive producer and about how she saved the show. But to know that she was the one responsible for pushing that storyline, it honestly makes me think a lot less of her as a person. As well as the powers that be at ABC at the time for allowing it to happen.
I watched G H until that scene then stopped. I agree with Gene’s statement. Todays climate would not allow that scene to be shot. Our judgment was different back then. I admire her as a women and Actor.
How many prople remember that prior to the rape 16 year old Laura was seduced by her stepfathers 40 + year old best friend and that she later murdered him when she found out he only slept with her to get revenge on her stepfather. Laura was in therapy for the murder when she was raped by Luke another age inappropriate male. Very toxic time with storylines that would never play out today. Imagine teenage Genie Francis in high school having to play these scenes. I recall the late John Berandino the patriarch of the show as one of the few denouncing the Luke and Laura rape storyline at the time but he was sort of run over by the Luke and Laura hype.
As I recall, GH revisited that story line in recent years and actually showed Luke and Laura having an adult discussion about it and Luke admitting he was wrong and had raped her.
I remember the storyline and even then as a young man questioned the reformed rapist turn, a trope still employed. I applaud redemption in characters but this approach still bothers me. The lens of today really puts it a more negative light. I am thrilled Ms Francis and Laura Collins remain on canvas I meaningful ways. I always wanted Laura to be forefront, a pillar. The series has shifted with so many new characters, what legacy we have needs to be cherished.
It was the storyline that made me decide not to watch GH until GL, ATWT and OLTL were taken off the air. I thought the Luke and Laura hype was not warranted. I was a Laura and Scotty fan. I still am. The Christmas 2022 scenes between them and Eliabeth showed such history between the two characters and actors too.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Favorite Amanda Setton Talks Brook Lynn and Chase’s Divorce, Jude Jacks, Baby Phoebe, and What’s Next (Exclusive)
On General Hospital, Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s (Amanda Setton) life as she knows it has turned upside down. First, she and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed divorce papers while in the Dominican Republic. As much as they loved each other, they just couldn’t get past all the trust issues between them.
Then, right after that, Jude Jax (Wil Traval) shows up at the Q mansion and demands to see his daughter, baby Phoebe! Brook Lynn is thrown for a complete loop. Is this guy claiming to be the biological father of Delilah Wilson’s daughter, which had been adopted by Brook Lynn and Chase, telling the truth? Brook Lynn is on her way to getting to the bottom of his claims.
Meanwhile, Brook Lynn’s portrayer, Amanda Setton just celebrated her first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination, and in the very competitive Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. While Amanda ultimately did not take home the gold statuette, that honor went to The Young and the Restless’ longtime veteran, Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott), she was in great spirits when Michael Fairman TV caught up with her on the red carpet.
Photo: ABC
THE END OF THE LINE FOR BROOK LYNN AND CHASE
When asked how she felt about Brook Lynn being the first (between her and Chase) to put pen to paper on their divorce papers, Settton recalled, “She did. But I’m like, ‘Did she or did he kind of?’ They did it (both of them).”
Getting a new co-star and cast member can go one of two ways, great or not so great, but Amanda had nothing but high praise for Wil Traval’s entrance and performance as Jude Jacks!
THE ARRIVAL OF JUDE JAX
“Wil Traval is fabulous to work with. His debut was so amazing the other day, wasn’t it? He was just such a force and everybody’s faces and reactions when he says that he’s, ‘Jude Jacks, Jerry’s son.’ It was so good and well-played! Wil’s awesome. I’m excited for what’s to come. We’re going to have a lot of stuff together.”
Photo: ABC
According to Amanda, Brook Lynn will have her hands full in the months to come: “There’s a lot of stuff coming down the pike with Baby Phoebe. Will Chase and Brooklyn work together? Will they not? Is it really Jude’s daughter? Lots of questions!”
GRATITUDE TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY HER PEERS
For Setton, being an Emmy nominee meant the world to her, and to finally be acknowledged by her peers in a television career that spanned daytime and primetime including her performances as Kimberly Andrews on One Life to Live. But most importantly for her work in 2025 in the emotional rollercoaster of a story where Brook Lynn learns Gio (Giovanni Mazza) is her biological son.
“It means so much to me,” expressed Amanda. “It really does. I keep using this line, but I really mean it. It feels like a big hug. You know, not everybody who votes for these categories works with you. It’s really a very humbling feeling to know that your work actually touched someone and moved someone enough for them to vote for you. And getting to play the storyline that I got to play was such a privilege. It really was, with the actors I got to play it with. To be a little rewarded for it feels so nice.”
You can check out our chat with Amanda Setton on the red carpet at the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards below. Then make sure to check out all the Michael Fairman Channel red carpet interviews from daytime’s biggest night here.
So, do you think Brook Lynn and Chase will unite to keep baby Phoebe away from Jude Jacks? What do you think of Wil Traval’s performances thus far as Jude? How do you see this story for the custody of baby Phoebe playing out? Were you rooting for Amanda to take home the Supporting Actress gold? Let us know via the comment section below.
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